Penrith collected three vital points in their Northern League derby at Carlisle City when they won 2-0.
They had dominated the first-half and deserved their single goal lead at the break although City were close to pegging them back in the second-half until a late penalty sealed it for the visitors.
The Bonny Blues almost took the lead very early in the game when Andy Murray Jones got in to beat Stephen Townsley but Robbie Ivison was back to clear off the line.
However Murray Jones got his reward six minutes later when he rose well to head home a corner from Luke Hunter.
Townsley had to produce two very good saves to deny Johnny Murray and Alfie Brunskill before City’s first real threat when Callum Birdsall fired past Aaran Taylor but the shot flew just wide of the post.
It was mainly Penrith who looked most likely to score, however, after that. Hunter got through but although he lifted the ball over Townsley it dropped over the top.
Then at the end of the half a free kick from Hunter was reached at the far post by the stretching Grant Davison who could only lift the ball over the bar.
City did respond after the re-start and on 54 minutes were almost level when Jay Kelly got on the end of a cross but his header hit the post.
Later in the half City struck the woodwork again and this time it was a header from Kieron Olsen who saw a header come back off the bar.
There was also a good chance for Callum Birdsall when clear on goal but he fired well over the bar.
Then on 81 minutes Penrith were awarded a penalty, which City felt was a soft one, but Johnny Murray made no mistake from the spot.
There was a late chance for City but Luke Brown was back defending to clear off the line and maintain the two goal advantage.
Afterwards Penrith manager Darren Edmondson said: “The boys showed lots of what we asked for – the spirit, desire and composure at times. You look at that and think why can’t we be like that all the time.
“It’s just the inconsistencies at this level but there are a lot of factors about playing at this level.
“City put us under pressure in the second half but I think over the whole 90 minutes they could have no complaints.
“We have Whickham and Bishop Auckland both at home this Easter week-end so they are just two more Cup finals for us between now and the end of the season.”
Carlisle City boss Jim Nichols said: “The opening goal was a bad one from our point of view, a free header from a set piece.
“We probably got what we deserved in the end because we weren’t able to work their goalkeeper enough.
“Getting a big, physical centre-back in Dan Kirkup at the week-end is a big bonus for us because that’s where we have been lacking.
“We play Crook Town on Saturday and we need to up our game. Aaron Bradbury was injured in the pre-match warm-up so we will have to see how he is for the week-end. It’s our only game over Easter.”
